Leveraging online game goals and economy to drive off-line

ABSTRACT

A method and system to leverage a gaming infrastructure to encourage actions in a non-virtual environment to achieve virtual world benefits, comprising having a participant install an application on smart phone; the participant sets up an account on Gameco servers; application interacts with Gameco servers; Gameco servers provide participant opportunities to acquire virtual world benefits by visiting specific geographic locations which may include businesses; participants visits specified location; and, participant is provided a virtual reward by Gameco.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority to United States (“U.S.”) utilitypatent application Ser. No. 15/009,773, filed Jan. 28, 2016 and entitled“LEVERAGING ONLINE GAME GOALS AND ECONOMY TO REWARD BETTER REAL WORLDBEHAVIORS,” which claimed the benefit of Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 62/109,007, filed Jan. 28, 2015 the disclosures of which areincorporated by reference herein in their entirety. This applicationalso claims the priority to U.S. utility patent application Ser. No.15/008,447, filed Jan. 28, 2016 and entitled “LEVERAGING ONLINE GAMEGOALS AND ECONOMY TO DRIVE OFF-LINE BEHAVIORS,” which claimed thebenefit of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/108,603 filed Jan.28, 2015 the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference hereinin their entirety.

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates generally to a method and system to drivegame player choices and actions in real world settings to achievevirtual world benefits.

2. Related Art

Online and mobile gaming in a virtual world is well now as our firstperson RPG (role playing games). In 2014 online gaming was estimated asa 40 Billion USD industry. AS such, online gaming contributessignificantly to the US economy. Conversely, excessive immersion in anonline gaming environment has, by some, been identified as a possiblecause of fatigue, obesity and reclusion. Others note improvement incoordination, vision and problem solving may be associated withimmersive gaming.

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein are systems and methods to encourage and/or directactions and accomplishments in the non-virtual world visa via the goalof obtaining virtual world benefits, including but not limited topoints, online game characters, accouterments, items, level-ups,advantages, prestige, fame, accolades, and collectables.

Aspect of the methods and systems disclosed herein include the supportfor and/or promotion by Gameco of real world (non-virtual) positiveconduct. Online gaming and gaming in general has been vilified by manyfor the seemingly habitual nature of some game environments to somepersons. A method whereby Gameco encourages non-virtual worldactivities, and in particular positive activities, is a powerful tool tocombat misperceptions about online gaming.

Aspects of the methods and systems disclosed herein include support forand/or promotion of combining online or virtual world activities withengagement of the real (non-virtual) world.

Aspects of the methods and systems disclosed herein include support forand/or promotion of local brick and mortar businesses and the relatedeconomies by combining online or virtual world activities withengagement of the real (non-virtual) world.

Aspects of the methods and systems disclosed herein include leveraging agaming infrastructure to encourage actions in a non-virtual environmentto achieve virtual world benefits, the method comprising: participantinstalls an application on smart phone; the participant may also set upan account on Gameco servers; application interacts with Gameco servers;Gameco servers provide participant opportunities to acquire virtualworld benefits by visiting specific geographic locations which mayinclude businesses; participants visits specified location; and,participant is provided a virtual reward by Gameco.

Aspects of the methods and systems disclosed herein include leveraging agaming infrastructure to encourage actions in a non-virtual environmentto achieve virtual world benefits, the method comprising: a participantusing a computing device logs on to an application or website whichcommunicates with Gameco servers; from time to time Gameco serverscontact the participant via the computing device to give notice of anopportunity to achieve virtual rewards in a gaming environment orvirtual world via going to a location and performing some action in thereal world; if the participant choses to meet the opportunity thenhe/she is identified at the location via location servers; Gamecoservers then verify participant; and, Gameco servers determine ifopportunity has been met and award virtual reward to participant. Insome instances servers decisioning that additional opportunities existfor a specific participant at or near a specific location and Gameconotifies participant of the opportunity. In some instances Gamecoservers contact client servers and request payment for virtual rewardprovided to participant.

Aspects of the methods and systems disclosed herein include leveraging agaming infrastructure to encourage actions in a non-virtual environmentto achieve virtual world rewards or items of desire, the method includesa participant using a computing device receive a notice from Gamecoservers of an opportunity to act and achieve a virtual reward or benefitthrough actions outside of interacting with his/her computing device;participant selects an opportunity and performs an action in the realworld; the participants is verified or confirmed as performing theactivity by at least one of participants computing device and computingdevices at client locations; Gameco servers then verify participant;and, Gameco servers determine if opportunity has been fulfilled andaward virtual reward to participant. In some instances the methodfurther comprising Gameco servers decisioning that additionalopportunities exist for a specific participant at or near a specificlocation and Gameco notifies participant of the opportunity. In someinstances Gameco servers and request payment for virtual reward forparticipant's activity. In some instances participant via computingdevice confirms to Gameco servers that he/she will chose an opportunityto act and Gameco servers record the confirmation. In some instancesGameco servers offer participant an enhanced or increased reward formaking the confirmation after the participant completes the activity.

Aspects of the methods and systems disclosed herein include leveraging agaming infrastructure to encourage commercial purchases in a non-virtualenvironment, the method includes a client contacts Gameco and agrees onan offer of virtual world benefits or rewards to be awarded participantsin an online game for performing activities in a real world; Gamecoservers populate the offer via a notification to the computing devicesof at least some of the participants in the online game; if aparticipant performs the activity at any threshold level required areward in the virtual game world is provided; and client pays Gameco forproviding the virtual reward.

Aspects of the methods and systems disclosed herein include leveraging agaming infrastructure to encourage commercial purchases in a non-virtualenvironment, the method includes a client contacts Gameco and agrees onan offer of virtual world benefits or rewards to be awarded participantsin an online game for performing activities in a real world; Gamecoservers populate the offer via a notification to the computing devicesof at least some of the participants in the online game; and client paysGameco for providing the notification.

The computing devices/smart devices disclosed herein operate with memoryand processors whereby code is executed during processes to transformdata, the computing devices run on a processor (such as, for example,controller or other processor that is not shown) which may include acentral processing unit (“CPU”), digital signal processor (“DSP”),application specific integrated circuit (“ASIC”), field programmablegate array (“FPGA”), microprocessor, etc. Alternatively, portions DCAdevices may also be or include hardware devices such as logic circuitry,a CPU, a DSP, ASIC, FPGA, etc. and may include hardware and softwarecapable of receiving and sending information.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The disclosure may be better understood by referring to the followingfigures. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale,emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of theinvention. In the figures, like reference numerals designatecorresponding parts throughout the different views.

FIGS. 1A and 1B are representational diagrams of aspects of methods andsystems whereby an online gaming platform or environment is utilized orleveraged to at least one of promote, motivate and urge behavior whichmay earn a participant benefits and rewards in the virtual or onlineworld or economy and interactions between Gameco servers and clientservers;

FIG. 2 is an overview diagram of aspects of an exemplary method andsystem wherein participants interaction with Gameco servers and locationservers as well as location server interactions with Gameco servers.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are an overview diagram of aspects of an exemplarymethod and system wherein participants interaction with Gameco serversand location servers as well as location server interactions with Gamecoservers.

In the Figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding partsthroughout the different views. All callouts and annotations are herebyincorporated by this reference as if fully set forth herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A scenario is established between a Gameco and one or more participantsvia computing devices in signal communication and clients who seek toutilize the online system as a mechanism to drive off-line activity.

Real world actions are actions beyond touching a keyboard, or mouse ortouch screen to “surf” or use a computing device or interface tointeract with websites or apps. Real world actions mean going somewhereand doing something physical that is not simply interacting with acomputing device. However, part of the real world action may includeusing the computing device to receive notices, to authenticate andverify the activity or a part thereof.

In some exemplary implementations the off-line activity includescommercial behaviors such as shopping, traveling to a particularlocation. Behavior or action may be required or desired within aparticular time frame. In some instances the virtual world reward (orvalue) associated with a behavior by the participant may be fixed. Insome instances the virtual world reward (or value) associated with abehavior by the participant may be dynamic and change as a function ofsupply, demand, subsidy, sponsorship and the like. The commercial valueto Gameco can be a function of the demand of clients. The commercialvalue to Gameco may in some instances be generally approximated by thedifference between the online purchases of upgrades by participants whodo not participate in off-line behavior to ear virtual world benefitsversus those who do. The commercial value to Gameco may in someinstances be generally approximated by the difference between the onlinepurchases of upgrades by participants who do not participate in off-linebehavior to earn virtual world benefits versus those who do plusadvertising/marketing fees paid to Gameco for leveraging itsinfrastructure to drive behavior for clients. The commercial value toGameco may in some instances be generally approximated by the differencebetween the online purchases of upgrades by participants who do notparticipate in off-line behavior to earn virtual world benefits versusthose who do plus subsidies paid by clients to Gameco for the virtualbenefits it distributes to drive behavior for clients.

In some exemplary implementations the valuation methodology may also bepart of an auction like system wherein clients compete, in someinstances, for participant behaviors they desire by outbidding adifferent client for Gameco to motivate via the on line environment.

Off-line activities may also be dynamic such as real world actions. Realworld actions refer generally to actions that a participant completes ina non-virtual world environment and without interacting directly withthe Gameco servers. Participant actions while interacting with theGameco servers even the result of physical acts by the participant arenot the non-virtual world actions referred to herein.

The scenario is beneficial to the participant as she/he is motivated bythe opportunity to obtain a virtual world reward by spending some timein the non-virtual world including but not limited to travel, supportinglocal businesses, purchases, service (such as helping a political partyget out vote) and the like.

Gameco derives revenue by linking one or more funding sources orsubsidizers to its servers wherein actions or goals obtained byparticipants which earn participants rewards are paid for by suchsources. Additionally, when participants activities i.e. visiting ABCsandwich shop is via the opportunity presented by Gameco, Gameco mayalso receive a percentage of the revenue collected by the “ABC” sandwichshop visa vie authentication of the participant by Gameco servers and insome instances assigning benefit and reward to participant afterreceiving confirmation of purchases via client servers. In some instancethe participant's computing device (such as a parent or guardian) mayhold the master account for a child wherein the computing device for theparent interacts with the ecosystem but earns rewards for the child'sidentified, specified or linked account at Gameco servers.

Gameco also obtains a positive impressions in the society by activelyoffering opportunities to have participants spend some amount of time ina non-virtual world.

At a simplified level aspects of the system and method disclosed hereininclude utilizing hardware referred to as computing or smart deviceswhich may include internet streaming systems, gaming system, desktopcomputers, laptops, tablets, smart phones, televisions to acquire,receive, measure or otherwise capture and then transmit via signalcommunication data associated with an participants.

It is appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that some of thecircuits, components, modules, and/or devices of the system disclosed inthe present application are described as being in signal communicationwith each other, where signal communication refers to any type ofcommunication and/or connection between the circuits, components,modules, and/or devices that allows a circuit, component, module, and/ordevice to pass and/or receive signals and/or information from anothercircuit, component, module, and/or device. The communication and/orconnection may be along any signal path between the circuits,components, modules, and/or devices that allows signals and/orinformation to pass from one circuit, component, module, and/or deviceto another and includes wireless or wired signal paths. The signal pathsmay be physical such as, for example, conductive wires, electromagneticwave guides, attached and/or electromagnetic or mechanically coupledterminals, semi-conductive or dielectric materials or devices, or othersimilar physical connections or couplings. Additionally, signal pathsmay be non-physical such as free-space (in the case of electromagneticpropagation) or information paths through digital components wherecommunication information is passed from one circuit, component, module,and/or device to another in varying analog and/or digital formatswithout passing through a direct electromagnetic connection. Theseinformation paths may also include analog-to-digital conversions(“ADC”), digital-to-analog (“DAC”) conversions, data transformationssuch as, for example, fast Fourier transforms (“FFTs”),time-to-frequency conversations, frequency-to-time conversions, databasemapping, signal processing steps, coding, modulations, demodulations,etc.

FIG. 1A shows a participant 10 who may use one or more computing devices12 (computer system) 14 (smart phone/tablet/handheld internet connecteddevice) and 16 (car navigator system) in communication with Gameco 20and Gameco servers 25 via a network 30. Gameco servers are shownconnected to one or more databases 40 wherein information is stored.Participant sets up an account at Gameco servers or Gameco serverscapture information from the Participant's computing device 12(including but not limited to MAC address, IP address, serial number,geolocation, phone number, vehicle identification number, synthetic GPS,Cell ID, Wi-Fi, Terrestrial Transmitters) to identify the Participantwhich may include the location thereof and create records about theParticipant. The communication may be intermittent and the Participantmay utilize an application on the computing device and that applicationis in intermittent contact with Gameco servers.

In a simplified operation Gameco 20 communicates with at least oneclient 100. The communication in some instances is client server 110 toGameco servers 25 wherein Gameco rule and decision engines scheduleparameters of client 100 desired participant behavior with Gameco whichin turn determines what segment, if not all, of its population ofparticipants to broadcast or push messaging to attempt to motivatebehavior outside the virtual world or gaming world interaction wherebythe participant 10 can achieve benefits in the virtual world for suchreal world actions. Client servers also may provide all or some of theirstored data (in database(s) 225) on sales, customer traffic, inventory,demographic of their customers, zip codes, and traffic flow during timeperiods to Gameco servers 25 whereby Gameco servers determine identifyopportunities to motivate participants to interact with client realworld locations 300 in general and specific ways. Real world location300 may be as large as a geographic region or as small as a store (302,312, 322) and the location(s) have servers (304, 314 and 324) which arein signal communications with one or more of Client servers 110, Gamecoservers 25 and participants computing devices (12, 14 and 16).

Gameco servers act to inform, motivate, urge some population ofparticipants to behave in a desired way in response to Gameco 20activities on behalf of client 100. The behavior may be travel to realworld location (2) 300 or purchases at real world locations.

In either instance Gameco servers require authentication of participantbehavior to provide participant a virtual world benefit for thebehavior. A non-exclusive list of authentication means include, voicerecognition at client location via client server. Facial recognition viaclient server. Other biometric authentication via client severs.Geolocation via participant computing device. A changing image such as aclock, glyph, code or the like displayed at client and taken withparticipants computing device to compare the image and its encoded data(i.e. time, glyph code etc) with participant geolocation and computingdevice identity to validate. A specific code provide participant whenhe/she checks in at client location 300. In other instances when aparticipant makes a purchase at client location 300 if the participantscomputing device (or the participant) can provide client serversauthentication data whereby Gameco servers have a record of participantpurchase and thereby can: 1. Assign benefit or reward offered toparticipant for the purchase; and 2. Collect subsidy or payment fromclient for participant behaving to purchase at location.

In FIG. 1B a MOTIVATOR may be the participant, a parent, friend, spouse,teacher, school, employer or the like who are promoting or supportingparticipants' positive, good and/or healthy choices and actions. In someinstances a MOTIVATOR may be a commercial entity, a medical or healthentity, a governmental entity that is subsidizing or sponsoring goodchoice activities and healthy positive actions. MOTIVATORS may berobotic or autonomous programs or semi-autonomous carrying outinstructions based on preferences. MOTIVATOR servers also may provideall or some of their stored data it has in its database 102 onparticipant such as records effecting choices or results a participanthas made or achieved which may include grades, turning in homework,going to a gym, medical measurements, food choice, compliance withhealth or medical needs whereby Gameco servers receive, parse, developor record threshold levels of real world activity or types of activityparticipant needs to accomplish to earn virtual rewards. The actives maybe very specific and targeted to even a single participant based on thegoals set. One or more of the participant, A funding source, which mayutilize a computing device provides Gameco servers a for of payment suchas crypto currency, bitcoin, currency, debit card, credit card or linkedbank account to pay for or subsidize earned virtual reward.

Visa vie an application installed on the participants computing device,linked device or interaction of the participant via a computing devicewith Gameco website and servers, the participant receives notificationsor reminders of activities he/she can perform in the real world to earnvirtual world benefits. The activities may be geo-linked wherein ifparticipant is at the gym, or a restaurant school he/she may receive anotification of activities he/she can act upon that are specific to theschool, or home, or work environment.

The participant may also chose to check in via his/her computing deviceat a location such as school, work or gym wherein he/she is providingGameco servers data on actions or requesting that the location serversprovide the data whereby Gameco servers are advised of the identity ofthe participant engaged in the activity. At school, and for graded workor test results school computerized grade systems such as EDLINE™ andAERIES™ can be linked via parent to Gameco to compare result andthreshold. If a threshold is met then a reward may be given. Parent canset account with funds to pay for reward if the servers/systemestablishes threshold met. In some instances funding may be subsidizedby school or work or via advertiser. For children parents computingdevice may be a verification server/system.

The participant, when acting in the real world 210, can meet thresholdlevels of activity or actions to earn benefits and virtual worldrewards. Activities include exercise 212, health food choices 214,medication compliance 216, chores 218, the activities may be schoolrelated 230 and include grade or test or performance reports 232 at athreshold level, or kind acts (as reported or observed) 234, or turningin home work on time 236 or things like reading a book 238. Otheractions or activities may be an employee at work 240, wherein theemployee (participant) is on time, or does a good job and instead ofgetting an employee of the week button he/she will receive a virtualreward which may also be subsidized or paid for by the employer.

Activities of the participant is reported to Gameco servers via areporting server 300 via a network. If Gameco servers determine thatparticipants activities have met the threshold level then Gameco canverify the funding/payment and notify participant of the obtainment of avirtual reward.

It is preferred that the participant is authenticated to Gameco serverswhen he/she acts to provide participant a virtual world benefit for thebehavior. A non-exclusive list of authentication means include, voicerecognition at a location via a server, facial recognition, otherbiometric authentication, and/or geolocation via participant computingdevice.

Data collection devices can verify participant actions to Gamecoservers.

FIG. 1B shows a participant 10 who may use one or more computing devices12 (computer system) 14 (smart phone/tablet/handheld internet connecteddevice) 16 (car navigator system) and 17 (wearable device) in signalcommunication with a computing device and/or Gameco 20 and Gamecoservers 25 via a network 30. Wearable device may be attached to any partof the body, or clothing and have sensors to monitor some health aspectssuch as steps, climb, heart rate, location Gameco servers are shownconnected to one or more databases 40 wherein information is stored.Participant sets up an account at Gameco servers.

In a simplified operation Gameco 20 communicates with at least oneMOTIVATOR 106 visa vie a computing device. Gameco rule and decisionengines set-up, schedule, determine, suggest and the like the parametersof MOTIVATORS 106 desired participant 10 behavior to achieve benefits inthe virtual world for real world actions. MOTIVATOR servers also mayprovide all or some of their stored data it has in its database 108 onparticipant such as grades, turning in homework, going to a gym, medicalmeasurements, food choice, compliance with health or medical needswhereby Gameco servers develop or record threshold levels of real worldactivity or types of activity participant needs to accomplish to earnvirtual rewards. The actives may be very specific and targeted to even asingle participant based on the goals set. One or more of theparticipant, MOTIVATOR and Gameco determine the desired activities andthresholds. A funding source, which may utilize a funding computingdevice (CD) 135 provides Gameco servers a for of payment such as cryptocurrency or bitcoin, currency, debit card, credit card or linked bankaccount 145 to pay for or subsidize earned virtual reward.

Visa vie an application installed on the participants computing device,linked device or interaction of the participant via a computing devicewith Gameco website and servers, the participant receives notificationsor reminders of activities he/she can perform in the real world to earnvirtual world benefits. The activities may be geo-linked wherein ifparticipant is at the gym, a restaurant, or school, he/she may receive anotification of activities he/she can act upon that are specific to theschool, or home, or work environment.

The participant may also choose to check in via his/her computing deviceat a location such as school, work or gym wherein he/she is providingGameco servers data on actions or requesting that the location serversprovide the data whereby Gameco servers are advised of the identity ofthe participant engaged in the activity. At school, and for graded workor test results school computerized grade systems such as EDLINE™ andAERIES™ can be linked via parent to Gameco to compare result andthreshold. If a threshold is met then a reward may be given. Parent canset account with funds to pay for reward if the servers/systemestablishes threshold met. In some instances funding may be subsidizedby school or work or via advertiser. For children parents computingdevice may be a verification server/system.

The participant, when acting in the real world 250, can meet thresholdlevels of activity or actions to earn benefits and virtual worldrewards. Activities include exercise 252, health food choices 254,medication compliance 256, chores 258, the activities may be schoolrelated 270 and include grade or test or performance reports 272 at athreshold level, or kind acts (as reported or observed) 274, or turningin home work on time 276 or things like reading a book 278. Otheractions or activities may be an employee at work 280, wherein theemployee (participant) is on time, or does a good job, get high customersatisfaction feedback, reaches high efficiency, high sales, low defectsetc., and instead of getting an employee of the week button he/she willreceive a virtual reward in the gaming environment which may also besubsidized or paid for by the employer. Motivation to achieve suchbenefits or rewards in the gaming world (virtual) are well defined forparticipants and by reinforcing this known behavior via preferredinteractions act work or school the society benefits, brick and mortarretail may benefit and the opportunity for social interactions outsidethe virtual world are supported.

Activities of the participant is reported to Gameco servers via areporting server 300 via a network. If Gameco servers determine thatparticipants activities have met the threshold level then Gameco canverify the funding/payment and notify participant of the obtainment of avirtual reward. It is preferred that the participant is authenticated toGameco servers when he/she acts to provide participant a virtual worldbenefit for the behavior. A non-exclusive list of authentication meansinclude, voice recognition at a location via a server. Facialrecognition. Other biometric authentication. Geolocation via participantcomputing device. Data collection devices can verify participant actionsto Gameco servers.

In a less simple variation of the methods and aspects thereofillustrated in FIG. 1A Gameco 20 is in communication with at least afirst clients 100 and a second client 200. The second clients havingservers 210 and database(s) 225. In some instances both the first andthe second client have Gameco working to drive participants to clientslocations. In this example the second client real world location 350 maybe as large as a geographic region or as small as a store (352, 362,372) and the location(s) have servers (354, 364 and 374) which are insignal communications with one or more of Client servers 110 and Gamecoand participants computing devices (12, 14 and 16). Online games mayinclude online gambling as well as role pay and other games.

In an auction or competitive process wherein first and second clientsare determined to be competing Gameco may direct a bidding or auctionfor time, date or location wherein Gameco may limit for which clientduring what time it will act to motivate behavior through its onlinegame.

FIGS. 2 and 3A-3B are diagrams showing aspects of several methods andsystems disclosed herein including process steps, decisioning andmodules for interaction, notification, identification, and verification.

Participant 10 interacts with Gameco servers via the interaction (orcommunication) module 500. Via the interactions with Gameco servers 25,participant visa vie a computing device will receive notifications (fromthe Notice module 600) of opportunities to earn virtual rewards viabehavior in the real world. Gameco servers may chose to provideconnected opportunities wherein the push notification may be shared withdesignated person, via there computing devices, in accordance withagreements to have their conduct in the real world help earn virtualworld rewards to the participant. One non limiting example may be afriend, spouse or parent travelling to the location and/or makingpurchases wherein the virtual benefit or reward is distributed to theparticipant.

A participant will decide whether or not to act 700. If the participantacts and goes to the specified location then via an identification (ID)module 800 the servers at the location (place) the participant travelledto agglomerate/capture or receive Identification information ofparticipant.

The place servers then provide the identification to the Gameco serverswhich utilize a verification module 900 to determine if the participantis authenticated for the rewards sought.

Gameco servers thereafter decide, applying rule and decision engines, onwhether the reward requirements (which may include thresholds) have beenmet and whether and other opportunities exist at that location at thattime 925.

If no other opportunities exist then Gameco servers assign reward.Gameco servers may also notify participant of the achievement. Ifadditional opportunities for the identified and verified participant inor about the location, or on a route the participant is taking away fromthe location exist Gameco servers may notify participant and/or locationservers of the opportunities. Additionally, opportunities may bepurchasing goods or service at a client location.

In some exemplary implementations, aspects include a interaction modulewherein a participant 10 becomes involved with the online game by one ormore of installing or using an application on one of his/her computingdevices 502 and using a network 30 to interact with Gameco servers orlogging on, with a computing device via a network 30, to Gamecowebsite/servers 505.

Once a participant has become involved with the online Gameco a databasecontaining information about that participant is populated and updatedby Gameco servers. Based on criteria set by Gameco servers, which mayalso be limited by participants assets, achievements while playing theonline game(s), age, preference, physical location or other factors willreceive one or more notifications from Gameco notification module 600(from Gameco servers 25) regarding a physical real world location(300/350) to be at to obtain a virtual reward. For Gameco the locations(300/350) represents locations of clients (100/200) for who Gameco isleveraging its online community and infrastructure to drive real worldtraffic and or sales.

The notification module may be tailored to target specific participantsbased on criteria such as age, location, user preference, economicprofile, virtual world activity or conduct, gender, habits,likes/dislikes, buddies, groupings and the like. The Gameco serversselect and/or filter a population of participants and notify them ofopportunities 605. Optionally, participant may select an opportunity toadvise Gameco servers he/she is going to attempt to achieve the reward.The optional notice back from participant is useful for Gameco serversto dynamically adjust the number of notification it sends out in a giventime frame. Additional rewards may be assigned to participants whorespond with a notice back and who actually complete the real worldbehavior.

Optionally, there may also be a requirement of a threshold level ofparticipation for the participant to achieve a virtual reward for realworld activity and notice of same may be given 610. The thresholdrequirements may also be used as a criteria to filter out or identifyparticipants who are more likely to be responsive to the notificationand hence become a higher value participant for a particular responseand/or for such a system and method.

Optionally, Gameco servers send or provide a virtual badge such as aspecific or unique ID or code to a participant computing device for eachopportunity 615 offered. The badge can be specific and used to trackparticipant actions and therefore used to further expand Gameco databaseon each participant to better select responsive populations.

Optionally, Gameco servers may push or notify a map application ornavigation system which participant has specified or provided access toGameco to with the location or directions to the location(s) 620.

Once notified a participant has the opportunity to make a decision 700to act in the real world and go to a physical location (302, 312, 322,352, 362, 372) and/or interact with servers (304, 314, 324, 354, 364,374) at that location. Once a participant arrives at a location (302,312, 322, 352, 362, 372) the participant (or designee) needs to beidentified to meet the opportunity requirements to achieve virtualrewards for real world conduct.

The participant interaction with place servers (304, 314, 324, 354, 364,374) to have participant or designee identified 805. Means ofidentification include but are not limited to: Participant's computingdevice present an RFID tag, or a wireless short range identificationcode to place servers 810. Participant presents a physical badge such asa bracelet or bracket with an RFID tag and/or a virtual badge containingspecific information provided by Gameco servers to participant computingdevice that identifies participant with respect to the opportunity 815.The participant may present his/her biometrics such as voice, image,breath, DNA, fingerprint, retinal scan and the like 820 to supportidentification. Alternatively, the participant may identify the locationvia a code or identifier provided at the location. Such codes may becommunicated to the participants computing device via short range signalcommunication wirelessly, or it may be captured by user via camera incomputing device or speakers. Location codes may be auditory or visualor RF, the location may set up a screen that displays images or codeswhich can be captured and via time comparison of capture time and codeprovided Gameco servers can decision if the participant is at thelocation at the designated time. Identification data from theparticipants computing device known to Gameco servers can also be partof the identification.

After the participant (or designee) has been identified at the locationa verification procedure takes place wherein the Gameco servers one ofreceive the captured data associated with participant by place servers905 or captured place (location) data is provided by participantscomputing device to Gameco servers 910. Optionally, place servers mayprovide participant activity data including but not limited to time atlocation, geographic movements at location, and purchases at location toGameco servers 915.

In some instances participant 10 interacts with Gameco servers via theinteraction (or communication) module 500. Via the interactions withGameco servers 25, participant visa vie a computing device will receivenotifications (from the Notice module 600) of opportunities to earnvirtual rewards via behavior in the real world. Opportunities may bedynamic and changing based on a location of participant or a set ofcriteria regarding choices, actions and the like participant orMOTIVATOR seeks to encourage. A participant will then decide whether ornot to act 700. At this juncture, a participant may be identified via anID module 800 or via a pre-verification module 835. If identifiedwithout pre-verification then Gameco servers perform an additional stepto verify the participant via a verification module 902.

If the decision to act/choice is made and participant acts/chooses toagglomerate data of participant's actions or choices a Pre-verificationmodule may be utilized 835. For example health data collection deviceseither on participant or which can identify participant and agglomeratedata about participant actions (for example heart rate, blood pressure,blood sugar, breath, excretion, breathing, food choices, exercise andthe like) collects data and/or choices 840. Third party servers mayreceive records from a teacher, employer, parent and the like which area measure of performance 845. Third party servers may collect data, suchas food choices, exercise and the like 850. The collected data aboutparticipant is transmitted 990 via computing device through a network toGameco servers 25.

In some instances Gameco servers after receiving the verification ofparticipant connection with location data then decision if any necessarythreshold(s) have been met 1000. If not met then Gameco servers contactparticipant advising he/she of same. If threshold(s) met Gameco serversdetermine if additional rewards/benefits are available at or near thelocation 1010. If no then Gameco servers award and/or notify participantof the virtual reward obtained 1015. If other opportunities areavailable Gameco servers notify participant of such opportunities 1020.Gameco servers may also notify participants of a multiplier effect formore actions in same location. A multiplier can, for a time or locationor for a limited period, enhance or increase virtual rewards earned1025. For example, a participant at a location following a map throughstore aisles may complete a threshold action, other example areselecting goods A versus B at a location for purchase.

Turning back to FIG. 1A, and 2 client(s) servers 110/210 are incommunication with Gameco servers 25. In a simplified exemplar clientservers (or client 100/200) contact Gameco 20 (or Gameco servers 25) andrequest that a notice be distributed to all or some of the population ofparticipants 10. The notification includes at least one of location ofopportunity, date of opportunity, and time of opportunity. The noticemay further include threshold activity required. A threshold activitywill change based on client needs and Gameco agreements.

A few non-limiting examples which in no way are intended to limit thescope of the inventions may include be at location for “X” minutes, orgo to a specified department of a store at the location, or be atlocation between hours of “##:##” and “##:##”, or find the yellow trolldoll and take a picture of it next to a clock, or buy the “XYZ” subwaysandwich and a large soda, or open a checking account at “ABC” bank.

Gameco and clients may negotiate on the time(s) and location(s). Gamecoand clients agree on a value of one or more of participant notificationand participant activity. The value may be reflected in virtual rewardswhich are awarded the participant and paid for or subsidized byclient(s). Data of participant identification from the notice module 600can be used to provide a count of the number of participant contacted.Notice back from participants may also be used as a measure of theinitial response of participants to a particular opportunity. The rawdata of notice back can later be compared to the actual activities ofparticipants (data from the identification module 800) to furtherdetermine the return on investment (ROI) for clients who pay Gameco fornotification. The data may also be sued by Gameco to refine theopportunity notice to achieve higher actions on the part ofparticipants.

The system may can be dynamic and versatile. For example, if client hasan excess of inventory of sandwiches or t-shirts at a location anotification may be limited to participant acquiring those goods.Alternatively, if a client location has a lull in foot traffic during aparticular time frame the location (for example a big box retailer,amusement park or a Mall) may offer rewards for the participant whotraverses the location, which may be verified with GPS and/or byparticipant interacting with check-in areas to capture a digital imageor sound or code and having Gameco servers verify participant activity.

If multiple clients (100/200) seek the same population for notice thatmay be used to create an auction or bidding process wherein the clientoffering to provide more revenue to Gameco for virtual rewards whichwill be awarded to participants can compete for the notice. Optionally,the client may offer a greater subsidy of virtual goods thereby offeringparticipant a greater reward visa vie Gameco.

Additionally, a client may offer a percentage of sales made toparticipants who have been notified by Gameco and who make purchases atlocation. Verification of the sale or purchase may be via linking thesale to the participant via participant computing device (which can selfauthenticate to Gameco) and/or via client server which interfaces withat least one of participant and participant's computing device toprovide Gameco server adequate data to assign virtual reward to properparticipant.

The disclosure presented herein may be considered in view of thefollowing clauses.

Clause A, a method to leverage a gaming infrastructure to encourageactions in a non-virtual environment to achieve virtual world benefits,the method comprising: participant interacts with Gameco servers viasmartphone; Gameco servers provide participant opportunities to acquirevirtual world benefits by visiting specific geographic locations in thenon-virtual environment, which may include businesses; participantvisits the specified geographical location; Gameco servers determine ifa threshold level of action has been met; and participant is provided avirtual reward by Gameco, wherein verifying that the participant isparticipating includes confirming that the participant is performing theactivity by at least one of the computing device of the participant, acomputing devices of a client at the specific geographical location, orboth.

Clause B, a method to leverage a gaming infrastructure to encourageactions in a non-virtual environment to achieve virtual world rewards orbenefits, the method comprising: from time to time Gameco serverscontact a participant, via participant's computing device, to notify theparticipant of an opportunity to achieve virtual rewards in a gamingenvironment or virtual world via visiting a specific geographicallocation in the non-virtual environment and performing some action inthe non-virtual environment; participant is verified as participating;and Gameco servers determine if opportunity has been met and awardvirtual reward to participant, wherein verifying that the participant isparticipating includes confirming that the participant is performing theactivity by at least one of the computing device of the participant, acomputing devices of a client at the specific geographical location, orboth.

Clause C, the example of clause B, wherein verifying that theparticipant is participating includes the participant is identified atthe specific geographical location via location servers.

Clause D, a method to leverage a gaming infrastructure to encourageactions in a non-virtual environment to achieve virtual world rewards orbenefits, the method comprising: from time to time Gameco serverscontact a participant, via the participant's computing device, to notifythe participant of an opportunity to achieve virtual rewards in a gamingenvironment or virtual world via visiting a specific geographicallocation in the non-virtual environment and performing some action inthe non-virtual environment; participant is verified as participating;Gameco servers determine if the opportunity has been met and awardvirtual reward to participant; Gameco servers determine that additionalopportunities exist for a specific participant at or near the specificgeographical location; and Gameco notifying participant of theopportunity.

Clause E, the example of clause D, further comprising Gameco serverscontact client servers and request payment for virtual reward providedto participant.

Clause F, a method to leverage a gaming infrastructure to encourageactions in a non-virtual environment to achieve virtual world rewards orbenefits, the method comprising: from time to time Gameco serverscontact a participant via a computing device, to notify the participantof an opportunity to achieve virtual rewards in a gaming environment orvirtual world via visiting a specific geographical location in thenon-virtual environment and performing some action in the non-virtualenvironment; participant is verified as participating; Gameco serversdetermine if opportunity has been met and award virtual reward toparticipant; Gameco servers determining that additional opportunitiesexist for a specific participant at or near a specific geographicallocation; and Gameco notifies the specific participant of theopportunity.

Clause G, the example of clause F, further comprising Gameco serversverifies participant's additional opportunity activity.

Clause H, the example of clause G, further comprising Gameco serverscontact client servers and request payment for virtual reward forparticipant's additional opportunity activity.

Clause I, the example of clause H, further comprising participant, viacomputing device, confirms to Gameco servers that participant will chosean opportunity to act, and Gameco servers record the confirmation.

Clause J, the example of clause I, wherein Gameco servers offerparticipant an enhanced or increased reward after the participantcompletes the activity, for confirming that the participant will chosean opportunity to act.

Clause K, a method to leverage a gaming infrastructure to encouragecommercial purchases in a non-virtual environment, the methodcomprising: a client contacts Gameco and agrees on an offer of virtualworld benefits or rewards to be awarded participants in an online gamefor performing activities in a real world; Gameco servers populate theoffer via a notification to the computing devices of at least some ofthe participants in the online game, wherein the participant mustperform the activity at a threshold level to obtain a reward in thevirtual game world; client pays Gameco for providing the notification;and client subsidizes at least part of the costs of the virtual reward.

Clause L, the example of clause K, further comprising a Motivator insignal communication with Gameco servers identifies the activity andthreshold level.

It will be understood that various aspects or details of the inventionmay be changed without departing from the scope of the invention. It isnot exhaustive and does not limit the claimed inventions to the preciseform disclosed. Furthermore, the foregoing description is for thepurpose of illustration only, and not for the purpose of limitation.Modifications and variations are possible in light of the abovedescription or may be acquired from practicing the invention. The claimsand their equivalents define the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method to leverage a gaming infrastructure toencourage actions in a non-virtual environment to achieve virtual worldrewards or benefits, the method comprising: from time to time Gamecoservers contact a participant, via participant's computing device, tonotify the participant of an opportunity to achieve virtual rewards in agaming environment or virtual world via visiting a specific geographicallocation in the non-virtual environment and performing some action inthe non-virtual environment; participant is verified as participating;and Gameco servers determine if opportunity has been met and awardvirtual reward to participant, wherein verifying that the participant isparticipating includes confirming that the participant is performing theactivity by at least one of the computing device of the participant, acomputing devices of a client at the specific geographical location, orboth.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein verifying that the participantis participating includes the participant is identified at the specificgeographical location via location servers.
 3. A method to leverage agaming infrastructure to encourage actions in a non-virtual environmentto achieve virtual world rewards or benefits, the method comprising:from time to time Gameco servers contact a participant, via theparticipant's computing device, to notify the participant of anopportunity to achieve virtual rewards in a gaming environment orvirtual world via visiting a specific geographical location in thenon-virtual environment and performing some action in the non-virtualenvironment; participant is verified as participating; Gameco serversdetermine if the opportunity has been met and award virtual reward toparticipant; Gameco servers determine that additional opportunitiesexist for a specific participant at or near the specific geographicallocation; and Gameco notifying participant of the opportunity.
 4. Themethod of claim 3, the method further comprising Gameco servers contactclient servers and request payment for virtual reward provided toparticipant.
 5. The method of claim 4, the method further comprisingGameco servers verifies participant's additional opportunity activity.6. The method of claim 5, the method further comprising Gameco serverscontact client servers and request payment for virtual reward forparticipant's additional opportunity activity.
 7. The method of claim 6,the method further comprising: participant, via computing device,confirms to Gameco servers that participant will chose an opportunity toact; and Gameco servers record the confirmation.
 8. The method of claim7, wherein Gameco servers offer participant an enhanced or increasedreward after the participant completes the activity, for confirming thatthe participant will chose an opportunity to act.
 9. A method toleverage a gaming infrastructure to encourage commercial purchases in anon-virtual environment, the method comprising: a client contacts Gamecoand agrees on an offer of virtual world benefits or rewards to beawarded participants in an online game for performing activities in areal world; Gameco servers populate the offer via a notification to thecomputing devices of at least some of the participants in the onlinegame, wherein the participant must perform the activity at a thresholdlevel to obtain a reward in the virtual game world; client pays Gamecofor providing the notification; and client subsidizes at least part ofthe costs of the virtual reward.
 10. The method of claim 9, the methodfurther comprising a Motivator in signal communication with Gamecoservers identifies the activity and threshold level.